MLB Player News

Lowe reported tightness in his side before the Rangers' Cactus League game against Arizona on Thursday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Lowe's side caused him to be scratched in favor of Jared Walsh, but manager Bruce Bochy didn't seem too concerned about Lowe's condition. Lowe is 3-for-18 with two RBI across seven games so far this spring, and his absence from the lineup will likely be brief.

Gallo (quad) is starting at designated hitter and batting cleanup for the Nationals on Thursday versus the Mets, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Gallo hasn't played in a little over a week due to a sore quad, but he's feeling well enough to at least hit Thursday. It's not clear when he might be ready to play the field. Gallo is 1-for-7 with a couple RBI so far at the plate so far this spring. He'll be used in left field, at first base and at DH for the Nats this season.

Walker (hand) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's Cactus League game versus the Rangers.

Walker missed a week of action with right hand soreness after being hit by a pitch, but his absence had always been viewed as precautionary. The slugger is 2-for-8 with a double and a single so far during Cactus League play.

The Rangers optioned Harris (oblique) to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

Harris received an invite to big-league camp as one of the organization's top prospects and went 3-for-10 with a double and two RBI through five games, but he's been sidelined by an oblique issue for the past week. The 24-year-old didn't have a realistic chance of making the Opening Day roster regardless of the injury, and he'll now shift over to minor-league camp.

Guerrero went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The first baseman launched a no-doubt solo shot to straightaway center field of Nick Nelson in the first inning, Guerrero's first long ball of the spring, before adding an RBI single in the fifth. Guerrero came into camp in excellent shape, and that's translated into positive early results at the plate -- he's gone 6-for-13 through five games with a 1:2 BB:K.

Olson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The first baseman crushed a Pablo Lopez offering in the first inning for his first long ball of the spring. Olson set an Atlanta franchise record with 139 RBI in 2023 while adding a career-high 54 homers, and the 29-year-old is a safe bet to reach triple-digit RBI for the fourth straight season while batting in the heart of one of the most potent lineups in MLB.

Clemens was scratched from the Phillies' Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday due to illness, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

He should be fine in a day or two. Jake Cave will move to first base and Cam Gallagher will enter the lineup at designated hitter.

Encarnacion-Strand started at designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Monday's spring game against Oakland.

Encarnacion-Strand, who was hitless over his first five Cactus League at-bats, has hit safely in three straight games, going 4-for-8 with three extra-base hits and four RBI. Although he served as the DH on Monday, the 24-year-old is projected to be the Reds' primary first baseman.

Walker (hand) is now expected to return to action Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

An earlier report estimated Tuesday for Walker's return, but manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday is the more likely target. The first baseman, who was hit on the right hand by a pitch last Thursday, has begun hitting.

Santana looks set to be used against both right-handed and left-handed pitching at first base with Alex Kirilloff primarily being used at DH, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Santana is hitting 6-for-17 with a home run in six games this spring.

When the Twins signed Santana it was assumed he'd platoon with the lefty Kirilloff at first base, but this report makes it sound like Santana could be set for everyday duty. Kirilloff would then platoon with several right-handed batters at DH. Last season marked Santana's best year at the plate since 2019, as he slashed .240/.318/.429 with 23 homers and 86 RBI between the Pirates and Brewers.